Fly the Lanc to England for $40,000

LANCASTER

It's not the most comfortable way to get to England — and the inflight service stinks.

But if you are an aviation history buff — and don't mind the rumbling ride — it could be the flight of a lifetime.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage museum is offering a one-time opportunity on eBay to fly as a crew member in its Avro Lancaster to England this August. The famed Second World War bomber will appear in air shows in the United Kingdom with the world's only other flying Lancaster, which is owned by the Royal Air Force.

Here's the catch: it will cost you at least $40,000. That's the reserve bid to buy the trip, which means it could go for much more.

Warplane Heritage CEO David Rohrer says the museum needs to raise $650,000 for the trip. The appearance fees in England don't come close to covering the costs of getting there and back. So, as part of that fundraising effort, they've decided to auction off one of the eight seats on the plane.

"Going to England will be very special but very expensive," he says. "This trip is a major undertaking for the museum, so we have to come up with creative strategies to underwrite the cost of the trip.

The museum has been quietly raising funds for the excursion over the past several months, says Rohrer, who is confident their fundraising goals will be met.

He declined to give details about how much more money needs to be raised.

The eBay ad says the successful bidder will "have the opportunity to be trained and operate as a crew member" on the journey, approximately an 18-hour flight over a four-day period.

It also says the museum "reserves the right to assess the personal suitability of the successful bidder to undergo training to safely operate as a crew member.

"Maximum crew member weight is 250 pounds and you must be able to climb a ladder and manoeuvre in tight places. Winner must be willing to sign a photo waiver for the documentary filming."

You also have to find your way to the airport in Hamilton, two days prior to departure.